News Detail

What about the Concrete Apps? (Guest Author William E. Rushing Jr., ACI Senior Vice President)

9/1/2013

With the current explosive growth in the use of smartphones and tablets, we're hearing more and more discussions about these devices. In every conversation, one question that always seems to pop up is, "What apps do you have?" It's a good question.

And I am one of those who have had talks with friends and co-workers on more than one occasion about various apps on our phones. Apps help us in many ways: we can communicate with (or play a game with) a friend located anywhere in the world; determine which exercise routine to use; locate and pay for a parking place (goodbye parking meters!); or add a string of fractional dimensions easier than using a regular calculator. Apps are inexpensive or free, so they're becoming ubiquitous. But how do they affect ACI?

At a recent ACI convention, a group of members in a committee meeting started the same discussion. The question was asked: "What concrete apps exist?" Without hesitation, members pulled out their smartphones and tablets and started searching for concrete applications. Now at this point, it wouldn't surprise me if many readers have decided to try the same thing and conduct a search to see what comes up.

When I went searching "concrete" in my smartphone, I found several apps that are useful in estimating quantities. So I revised my search to "concrete design" and then found apps that can be helpful for designing beams, columns, slabs, walls, piles, and other structural elements. I have to wonder how many students are using these in their homework assignments.

Apps aren't limited to design. In fact, they may be having a bigger impact on the concrete construction side. Savvy contractors are using apps for viewing drawings and details, tracking material deliveries, and watching the weather in real time. Such tools allow them to solve a coordination issue on the spot (not in the job-site trailer), apply their work forces efficiently, and reduce the risks of rain damage or plastic shrinkage cracking. Besides design tools, savvy engineers are using smartphone cameras, GPS, and e-mail to document and communicate project information in real time.

ACI is helping to spread the word about the various ways current technology improves efficiency and mobility in today's workplace. ACI documents are increasingly being offered in ePub formats for use on tablets. And ACI convention attendees are now able to download the convention events program to a mobile device.

At the ACI Spring 2013 Convention in Minneapolis, MN, a technical session on "Not Your Father's Technology" was organized and sponsored by the ACI Marketing Committee and ACI Committee 118, Use of Computers. Speakers Rita Oglesby, Ronald O'Kane, John Jakovich, Danielle Harris, and Joseph Sanders gave presentations that provided an introduction to incorporating mobile devices in the workplace and the job site.

I would wager that the majority of ACI members with smartphones or tablets may not even be aware of many of the apps that have the potential to make their work easier. If you're not using at least some of these apps, I would suggest that you learn more about them. All you need to do is to let your inquisitive side take over and explore what's available.

But even with the options out there, is there a role that ACI can fill in app development? Even with the numerous apps that do exist, there are endless opportunities for new apps for the field technician, contractor, or the engineer in the field. Without a doubt, this technology is advancing exponentially.

The truth of the matter is that concrete-related apps can benefit all of us. So to that end, a new Task Group has been formed to evaluate what role ACI can and should play in concrete apps. This task group will be recommending a path forward for the Institute as it relates to this ever-expanding area in technology. As a leader in concrete technology, education, and information, it seems natural that we at least consider what our position should be as we move forward with our new strategic plan and how these technologies interact with those new goals, strategies, and tactics.

This could be a very interesting and exciting time in our Institute's history.